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The Linebacker has long been one of my favorite positions to watch. Growing up a Chargers fan during the nineties, I like many of you, had to suffer through some bad years. Sure there were bright spots; the 94 season was one of them. But really, being a Chargers fan was about being a fan of the players. Guys like Rodney Harrison, Normand Hand, Natrone Means, heck even Curtis Conway! But for me personally there wasn't any Charger or player in the NFL who I loved to watch as much as Junior Seau. He was worth the price of admission. He could fire up the crowd like no other with his lightning bolt fist pump thing he did. Naturally I've become pretty fond of watching linebackers play, and Junior had a lot to do with it. So it was a lot of fun looking around at each team and coming up with what I feel are the top 5 linebackers in the league.

Here are the top 5 linebackers in the NFL, according to BOLTHYPE:

[UPDATED for the 2011 Regular season]

1. Demarcus WareDemarcus Ware can legitimately be considered the best linebacker in the NFL. In the past 5 seasons, he's lead the league in sacks 3 times, and was in the top 3 twice.

2. Patrick WillisWillis is consistently among the NFL's leading tacklers and a perennial All-Pro. This past season, he also showed his ability to get to the QB with 6 sacks.

3. Clay MatthewsMatthews has emerged as one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL, and he's abilities and knowledge of the game continue to expand. He'll be a force for years to come.

4. Rey LewisLewis is aging, but he more than makes up for it with his on-field leadership and his experience. He'll still put you into the ground and has the stats to prove it.

5. Brian UrlacherUrlacher bounced back after an injured 2009 and returned to form in 2010. He's still a dominant defender and remains a force to be reckoned with.

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So what do you guys think? Any glaring omissions? Someone ranked way too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below [Keep in mind that the list has been updated since it was originally published in 2008]:

Jason Taylor plays LB in the 3-4 defense. He would play linebacker on a 3-4 team and D End on a 4-3...just like Demarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman would. But the Dolphins are going to the 3-4 full time this season, and assuming Taylor remains on the team, he'll be playing linebacker.

Ok, so once again, since he has never played in a 3-4 as a LB, He is STILL a DE, Im not willing to say he would be in the top 10 LB's just because Miami switched their Defense... There is alot more responibility to playing LB in the 3-4 that differs from playing DE in a 4-3...

haha to the retard that posted that last one...this is an updated post. This same article was up last year with different linebackers in different places. Thats why they said that. The author just updated it for this year and the same comments were still on it.

How about a list of the Top Ten CHARGER linebackers of all-time?!? We've had some very interesting players here, even if you exclude the one that was probably the Greatest linebacker to have ever played the game, Junior Seau. Any takers or voters? Speak now gentlemen (and possible ladies), or forever hold your tongues. And how about a list of the Ten Worst linebackers to play here? Or is that too cruel? Many have labored in relative obscurity here, but there have been some wonderful players at the position: Donnie Edwards, Marty Schottenheimer (joke: Marty was a 7th-round draft pick as a linebacker for Pittsburgh), or maybe Lowe? Merriman's a given as Great, but besides him..., hmmm.

Demeco Ryans should be in the top ten, he's the best coverage MLB next to Urlacher and he racks up 100+ tackles every year, not to mention the only real other talent on that front seven is Mario Williams. Farrior is old, he played in one of the best defenses in the league for the last couple years and he's never done anything spectacular, i can't believe he's on the top ten. Seriously, that team pushes everything to the midddle because of their superb play by outside LBs, thats why he racks up 90 tackles a year. I say you move Ray to number ten, take Farrior off the list, put Ryans in and have Tatupu as an Honorable mention.

There are some great linebackers on this list. Ray Lewis is good and has great leadership, but I do agree that he should be replaced with Lofa Tatupu. With James Farrior, he is good but as the author said its hard to judge someones greatness when they are on a DEFENSE that has so many players that make so many plays. He has Harrison and Troy P around him. Demeco Ryans is another MLB that could arguably be on this list too.

Well you idiots need to stop naming 3-4 OLB becuase they are only d-ends or ex-d ends thats why they have so many sacks(D-ware,Clay Mathews, Brian Orakpo, Jason Taylor) all played d-end as far as the true list its:

Chargers.com

Pro Football Talk

USA Today

NFL.com

San Diego Union - Tribune

Yahoo! Sports

ESPN - AFC West

FOX Sports

About BOLTHYPE:
Established in the summer of 2006, BOLTHYPE has steadily become the premier San Diego Chargers blog on the internet. By choosing to remain independent, BOLTHYPE has built up a strong following without the support of blog networks, and continues to attract new readers everyday. BOLTHYPE is dedicated to providing our readers with fresh and informative takes on their favorite NFL team, the San Diego Chargers.